Hair styling accessory and method of use

Abstract

A resiliently flexible and deformable hair styling accessory which imparts waves and style to hair, includes an elongated body and a head integrally formed at a first end of the body. The head includes an aperture which is configured to allow the forcible insertion of a second end of the elongated body therethrough and to thereafter retain a portion of the elongated body therein. The elongated body and head may form a unitary body constructed of a plurality of material components laminated along a longitudinal axis of the body. In use, a portion of wetted hair is rolled onto the elongated body and the second end is forcibly pushed through the aperture, retaining the elongated body and rolled hair in place. Once the hair has dried sufficiently to achieve the desired style, the inserted portion of the elongated body is withdrawn from the head aperture and the hair styling accessory is released from the hair.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A hair styling accessory, comprising: an elongated body of generally uniform cross-section and comprised of a plurality of resiliently flexible and deformable material components laminated to one another; and   a head attached at a first end of the elongated body and comprised of a plurality of resiliently flexible and deformable material components laminated to one another, the head having an aperture configured to permit forcible insertion of a second end of the elongated body therethrough and to thereafter retain a portion of the elongated body therein.   
     
     
       2. The hair styling accessory of claim 1, wherein the head includes an extension protruding therefrom opposite the elongated body, which extension serves as a handle for the hair styling accessory. 
     
     
       3. The hair styling accessory of claim 1, wherein the second end of the elongated body is of reduced cross-section relative to the remainder of the elongated body, to facilitate its forcible insertion through the head aperture. 
     
     
       4. The hair styling accessory of claim 1, wherein the elongated body and the head are integrally formed with one another and comprise a unitary body. 
     
     
       5. The hair styling accessory of claim 4, wherein the plurality of resiliently flexible and deformable material components laminated to one another are joined along a longitudinal axis of the hairstyling accessory. 
     
     
       6. The hair styling accessory of claim 5, wherein the unitary body is formed of one or more elastomeric materials. 
     
     
       7. A hair styling accessory, comprising: a resiliently flexible and deformable elongated body of generally uniform cross-section; and   a resiliently flexible and deformable head integrally formed at a first end of the elongated body, the head having an aperture configured to permit forcible insertion of a second end of the elongated body therethrough and to thereafter retain a portion of the elongated body therein, and an extension protruding therefrom opposite the elongated body which serves as a handle for the hairstyling accessory;   wherein the second end of the elongated body is of reduced cross-section relative to the remainder of the elongated body to facilitate its forcible insertion through the head aperture; and   wherein the elongated body and the head comprise a unitary body including a plurality of resiliently flexible and deformable material components adjoined along a longitudinal axis of the hair styling accessory and laminated to one another.   
     
     
       8. The hair styling accessory of claim 7, wherein the unitary body is formed of one or more elastomeric materials. 
     
     
       9. A method for styling hair, comprising the steps of: providing a resiliently flexible and deformable hair styling accessory including an elongated body of uniform cross-section and a head integrally formed at a first end of the elongated body, wherein the head has an aperture configured to permit insertion of a second end of the elongated body therethrough, the elongated body and the head comprising a plurality of resiliently flexible and deformable material components laminated to one another;   rolling hair onto the elongated body of the hair styling accessory;   with the hair rolled about the elongated body, forcibly inserting the second end of the elongated body through the aperture; and   retaining a portion of the elongated body within the aperture.   
     
     
       10. The method of claim 9, wherein the hair is wetted and partially dried and a portion of hair is selected for rolling onto the elongated body. 
     
     
       11. The method of claim 10, wherein the hair styling accessory is removed when the hair is dry by withdrawing the elongated body from the aperture and removing the hair styling accessory from the hair. 
     
     
       12. The method of claim 10, wherein gel or mousse is applied to the hair before rolling the selected portion onto the elongated member. 
     
     
       13. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of forcibly inserting the second end of the elongated body is facilitated by reducing the cross-section of the second end of the elongated body and incorporating a handle-like extension protruding from the head.